Favorite Find Monday: Bench or Chest?
I have spent the past month helping a neighbor, Karen. She is downsizing from a large family home to a smaller apartment. It is a huge move and has been an epic amount of work for her and her family. She was looking for bedroom furniture to fit into her new apartment and purchased both the Aubusson Armoire and Aubusson Table and I’m happy that she is thrilled with them.
Aubusson Armoire
Annie Sloan Aubusson Nightstand painted by The Painted Drawer
She finally got down to the last pieces in her large home that she could not bring with her, or no longer wanted, and called a charity to come take them away. However, she gave me first dibs on what I wanted out of the bits and pieces left in her house. I picked out some great finds that I shall share on another post. Today, I want to share this fantastic, farmhouse piece that she gave me.
The funny thing is that I was just telling my kids that I was looking for a low, long bench to put behind my living room sofa to anchor it in the room. We actually saw one outside an Ethiopian restaurant and I was joking with them how I should ask if they would sell it to me (I never asked!) Low and behold, I walked into Karen’s house and there was one sitting by itself in her family room!
It is long like a bench but also opens like a chest for storage. 
It has old hinges and a neat iron clasp. It’s very old, solid wood and wow –
I just love it! The Ethiopian restaurant’s bench is safe for now!
Whoa. Can’t wait to see what you do with that beauty!
How lucky you are to be given such a beautiful piece of furniture! It’s definitely in good hands.
Thanks Pam! I am really very lucky!
It’s gorgeous!!
What a wonderful gift! I love it.
Thank you Peggy!
Such a beautiful bench/chest! It look suits the room perfectly 🙂 I like the wood, the warm tone adds another dimension to the space.
Thank you, Annie – I agree about the wood. I love the warmth!
What a beautiful gift.
What a beautiful hope chest that you inherited from Karen. What a gift! I think I would be inclined to keep the natural wood. It’s just gorgeous! Great start to your week and we cannot wait to see the other goodies Karen gave you.
Wow that is beautiful. Do you know any history or information about the chest? I bought a ‘square chest’ that is remarkable similar from an estate sale and always wondered if it was old or an import where they make furniture that looks old? Love the placement in your house and it is wonderful that your neighbor ‘gifted’ you with such a wonderful piece of furniture.
Hi Laura – I don’t have any history but I will see Karen at the end of the week and shall ask her. I am positive it is the real deal (vintage if not even antique) as the hardware is original. I’ll definitely try to find out the scoop and it may help you figure out your piece 🙂
It’s beautiful!
What a lovely piece! I tend to agree about keeping it in its original condition. The wood is gorgeous!
I agree also – the wood is fantastic. I think I may ruin it if I painted it 🙂
Whatever it is, it is awesome!!!!!!! What a windfall for you and doooooooonnnnn’t paint it! It is so beautiful just as it it!
You do wonderful things with paint but that piece talks without needing anything…….oh the stories it could tell!
I am coveting your wonderful bench/chest. Just what I need behind my white sofa as well!
Always love what you do. Keep sending it on to us.
Love it just the way it is.
Wow, I am in love!